There are now 55 new Michigan State Police troopers ready to serve the state. Michigan State Police say graduation has been held for the 138th Trooper Recruit School as the graduates prepare to head off to their assigned posts. Of the 55, two are coming to southwest Michigan, both to the Paw Paw post. Trooper Oliver Fiala is from Cassopolis and Trooper Kalvin Ludwig is from Three Rivers. MSP Lieutenant DuWayne Johnson tells WSJM News these new troopers went through about six months of training.
“They learn patrols, stops, firearms training, water safety training, first aid, interview techniques,” Robinson said. “They get into some forensic type training where they learn how to collect DNA and take fingerprints and things like that.”
Robinson says new troopers are allowed to indicate preferences for where they will be assigned, and Michigan State Police can usually accommodate them. That’s to prevent them from transferring the first chance they get. The new recruits hit the road as MSP seeks to replace a wave of retiring troopers. Already, the 159th Trooper Recruit School is underway with 75 recruits.
